After concluding her story, Sandra watched as Chuck rose from his seat and approached her, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Surprised but appreciative, Sandra returned the hug. Once Chuck released her, she inquired, "What was that for?"
"I felt emotional, and I thought it would be a nice gesture to hug you. I hope I haven't offended you," Chuck replied.
"Not at all. It's just that it's been a long time since I've hugged a man, especially after my ex-boyfriend left," Sandra explained.
"It's perfectly alright, Sandra. You are a wonderful person and truly deserve the best," Chuck reassured her.
Shifting the conversation, Sandra asked, "So, what are your plans regarding your wife? Are you trying to mend things between you two?"
Chuck responded, "If she were truly the only drop of water in the desert, I'd accept my fate. But since she's not, I'm hopeful for another opportunity, and who knows, perhaps that opportunity is right here with me."
"Are you indirectly asking me to be your girlfriend?" Sandra couldn't help but ask, intrigued by Chuck's words.
"Well, what I really want to say is, 'Sandra Hennessy, will you be my girlfriend? Will you allow me to care for you, protect you, be there for you, and most importantly, love you unconditionally?'" Chuck stated earnestly.
"Chuck," she began, "how can I be in love with the man who is meant to be my boss? Even though you are truly a nice person and I would want that, how would your grandfather feel about me being your girlfriend, considering he is my boss too? Do you think it could work?"
Chuck replied, "From the moment I met you, I sensed that there was something about you that I needed. It turns out it was just you. I believe the most beautiful moments in life occur not just alongside you, but because of you. Life is a flower, and love is its honey. When you know you're in love is when you can't sleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. To love is more than just a feeling."
"Chuck!" Sandra exclaimed, "Does that mean you can't fall asleep because of me? You truly are a romantic, aren't you? It makes me wonder why someone would ever leave you."
Chuck reassured her, "Sandra, don't worry about my grandfather. As long as I'm happy, he won't interfere with my love life, provided his work is being handled appropriately. In fact, he knows about my feelings for you. He even mentioned it to me this morning, and I told him I would speak with you about possibly going out for dinner. So, returning to my earlier inquiry, will you be my girlfriend, Miss Sandra Hennessy?"
"Chuck Wallen, do you promise to love me unconditionally, to protect me, to care for me diligently, to never break my heart, and to be present whenever I need you? I vow that even in moments of temptation, I shall remain steadfast. May I cease to exist before I jeopardize this union we are about to create," Chuck declared.
Overjoyed by Chuck's heartfelt sentiments, Sandra stood from her seat, approached him, and embraced him warmly, whispering something into his ear.
"As we become one, I accept you with your imperfections and your strengths. I offer myself to you with my own flaws and strengths. I will support you in your times of need, just as I will seek your support in my own. I choose you as the partner with whom I will share my life," Sandra professed. Chuck felt a surge of happiness at her words—could it be that she was now his forever? Were they about to get married right there in the hotel? He hugged Sandra tightly, and in that moment, she noticed how close Chuck's face was to hers, causing her heart to flutter. Would he kiss her in public? She was caught off guard by her thoughts. As she closed her eyes, she felt Chuck's soft lips meet hers, and they shared a deep kiss. Their true love blossomed at that moment.
Meanwhile, Allison and Louis arrived at the same hotel, unaware that Chuck was inside. Allison caught a glimpse of him and immediately alerted Louis, questioning how he ended up there and if he had brought someone for dinner. Louis expressed his confusion over how someone like Chuck could attract such a beautiful woman. They hadn't anticipated encountering Chuck in that hotel, and Louis questioned how he could afford to treat a lovely young lady to dinner, speculating that perhaps she was the one paying for their meal. "What a pity—a man should take care of his partner. Your ex-husband truly is a loser," Allison remarked.
In that moment, Allison decided to confront Chuck and humiliate him in front of Sandra. She approached their table as the waitress confirmed their reservations. "Chuck!" she called out, "What a shameless man you are! How can you, as a grown man, allow a woman to take you out to dinner?"
"How does it concern you if I invited him to dinner, Dr. Allison?" Sandra retorted, her face displaying her anger as she stood up to defend her boyfriend.
"Do you even know him? Why are you defending him? Is he not capable of standing up for himself? What a disgraceful, good-for-nothing man!" Allison shot back. Chuck, accustomed to her insults, remained calm until she directed her disdain at Sandra, insinuating that Sandra had perhaps advanced her career by cozying up to an executive.
"What did you just say?" Chuck couldn't hold back any longer. He stood up, ready to confront Allison, but Sandra intervened, asking him to allow her to handle the situation. Just then, the bodyguard returned from the restroom and, upon seeing the commotion, rushed over, ready to confront the intruders. However, Chuck stopped him, defusing the potentially explosive situation.
Allison, I must caution you. Chuck expressed his concerns, but he was soon interrupted by Louis, who decided to defend his companion. "What will you do? Do you even recognize who I am?" Louis asserted. Chuck replied dismissively, "Whoever you are, I have no interest in knowing. If you and your companion do not leave this place immediately, I cannot be held responsible for the consequences you may face."
Louis, undeterred, confronted Chuck once more, inquiring, "Are you aware of my identity?" He then introduced himself. "I am Louis Stedman, and there is nothing you can do to harm me."
Upon hearing his name, the onlookers began to murmur. They were astonished, believing Louis had made a grave mistake by challenging a member of the Stedman family. "How dare he threaten someone of his stature?" they whispered.
Chuck, undeterred, retorted, "Whoever you claim to be, Stedman or otherwise, I will not repeat myself. Leave this place before I am compelled to take action." Louis raised his hand in defiance, but before he could make a move, Chuck struck first, hitting him and then proceeding to knock him down.
Louis, humiliated and enraged, had never before faced such defeat. Rising to his feet, he dialed a number. Within moments, two cars pulled up outside the hotel, and ten men exited, surrounding Louis. "Who dared to strike you, Mr. Stedman?" one of them asked. Louis pointed at Chuck and demanded that he apologize and even suggested that Chuck allow Sandra to spend the night with him. At this, Sandra froze, terrified by the potential outcome.
However, Chuck seized Louis by the collar and struck him once more. The situation left Allison in disbelief—how had this man become so fearless? Meanwhile, two sword-wielding men lunged at Chuck, but they immediately found themselves on the ground.
The crowd was bewildered, unable to comprehend how such a swift defeat occurred. They hadn't noticed Chuck's bodyguard, who moved with lightning speed to incapacitate the attackers, leaving them motionless on the floor without hesitation.
More of Louis's men rushed towards Chuck, but soon, they too were overwhelmed, with some left severely injured and others unable to rise. Louis observed in shock: he had summoned some of the most notorious enforcers in town, and now they lay defeated before him.
Fear gripped the onlookers, rendering them immobile. Sandra was equally stunned, having not anticipated the remarkable skills of Chuck's bodyguard, while Chuck marveled at the prowess of the guards trained by his grandfather.
Allison was left perplexed by the unforeseen turn of events. She had assumed Chuck would be subdued, yet here he stood alongside someone capable of such lethal action.
Meanwhile, Louis stood frozen, struck mute by the chaos around him. Frightened beyond measure, he contemplated fleeing. Chuck turned his attention to him and spoke, "So you are Louis, the one who ordered the abduction against me. I will be keeping a close watch on you." With that, Chuck took Sandra's hand, and the three of them exited the hotel after settling their bill.